"…all have recognized the need for better information about the potential impacts and trade-offs of transportation alternatives."
Today as communities debate growth policies, traffic congestion, urban design and air quality issues—all have recognized the need for better information about the potential impacts and trade-offs of transportation alternatives. The Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) helps planning agencies improve the techniques they use to inform their decision makers on how growth in population and employment, development patterns, and investments in transportation infrastructure are likely to affect travel, congestion, air quality, and quality of life.
Travel analysis refers to many things. Traditionally travel demand forecasting and air quality analysis have been the focus of TMIP's activities. However, as transportation planning evolves, it is crucial that TMIP support enhancements in other analysis techniques as well, including:
TMIP is a partnership. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cooperatively fund and support TMIP to conduct research and deliver technical assistance and training to transportation planning professionals. In addition, TMIP partnered with the Department of Energy and the Los Alamos National Labs on a large research and development effort, which resulted in the creation of the TRANSIMS technology.
TMIP shares many of its objectives with other stakeholder groups and national organizations. TMIP works cooperatively with the Metropolitan Capacity Building Program (MCB), which is focused on enhancing the capabilities of State and local transportation staffs to meet planning requirements and needs. TMIP also works with the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).